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Comcare Psychology in NSW: A Guide for Federal Workers

If you have searched for a "Comcare psychologist" or "Comcare-approved psychologist" in NSW, you may have found limited information. Comcare is Australia's federal workers compensation scheme and it operates differently from the NSW state scheme (SIRA/icare). This guide explains who Comcare covers, how psychological injury claims work, what psychologist you can see, and how telehealth fits in.

What Is Comcare and Who Does It Cover?

Comcare is the federal government's workers compensation authority, established under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (Cth) - also called the SRC Act. It covers two groups:

1. Commonwealth Government Employees

If you work directly for an Australian Government agency, department, or statutory body, you are almost certainly covered by Comcare. This includes employees of:

• The Australian Public Service (APS departments and agencies, e.g. the ATO, Home Affairs, Services Australia, DFAT, ATO)
• The Australian Defence Force (ADF) civilian workforce (note: ADF members themselves have separate arrangements under DRCA/MRCA)
• The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
• The Australian Postal Corporation (Australia Post) - which is a licensed self-insurer (see below)
• Commonwealth-funded statutory authorities and commissions
• Federal parliamentary staff under the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984

2. Licensed Self-Insurers (Private Companies Under the Federal Scheme)

Some large private companies have opted out of state workers compensation schemes by obtaining a Comcare self-insurance licence. These employers are covered by Comcare (federal SRC Act) instead of the relevant state scheme. In NSW, this means their employees' claims go to Comcare, not to SIRA/icare.

Examples of Comcare self-insurers that employ significant numbers of workers in NSW include (as at 2024 - check with your employer to confirm current status):

• Australia Post
• NBN Co
• Toll Group
• CSL Behring
• John Holland Group
• Ventia Infrastructure Services (formerly CIMIC)
• Lendlease

If you work for a company in this category, your psychological injury claim is with Comcare - not SIRA, icare, or WorkCover. If you are unsure, ask your HR or payroll team whether your employer holds a Comcare self-insurance licence.

How Comcare Handles Psychological Injury Claims

Under the SRC Act, a psychological injury is compensable if your employment was a significant contributing factor to the condition. This is a lower standard than NSW's "substantial contributing factor" test for some claims, though the practical application varies case by case.

What psychological conditions can be claimed?

Common psychological injuries compensated under Comcare include:

• Work-related stress, burnout, and adjustment disorders
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) arising from workplace incidents
• Anxiety disorders with a work-related contributing cause
• Depression triggered or significantly worsened by work conditions
• Psychological injury from workplace bullying, harassment, or traumatic events

The section 5A exclusion: reasonable management action

Similar to NSW's section 11A, the SRC Act (section 5A) excludes conditions that arise solely from reasonable administrative action, such as a performance review, disciplinary process, or redundancy decision that was carried out in a reasonable manner. If your psychological injury arose entirely from such a process, a liability dispute is possible. Many APS workers with stress injuries face this exclusion; legal advice is worth seeking early if your employer cites section 5A.

Comcare vs SIRA/icare: Key Differences for Psychological Injury Claims

Feature	Comcare (federal SRC Act)	SIRA/icare (NSW WCA 1987)
Governing law	Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (Cth)	Workers Compensation Act 1987 and Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998 (NSW)
Who is covered	Commonwealth employees + licensed self-insurers	Most NSW state and private sector workers
Psychology provider requirement	Any AHPRA-registered psychologist (no specific Comcare provider number)	Must hold a current SIRA provider number
Pre-liability treatment	Generally possible for initial treatment (check current Comcare threshold at comcare.gov.au)	Reasonable and necessary treatment from date of injury
Liability decision timeframe	45 days (Comcare target)	21 days
Dispute pathway	Internal reconsideration, then Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT)	Merit review, then Personal Injury Commission (PIC)
Permanent impairment (psych)	Whole person impairment assessed under SRC Act; no minimum WPI threshold for psych (unlike NSW's 11%)	11% WPI threshold applies to psychological injury claims for lump-sum (Schedule 3, WCA 1987)
Telehealth	Accepted for psychology sessions where clinically appropriate	Accepted (SIRA telehealth PSY301/PSY302)

Accessing Psychology Treatment Under Comcare

Step 1: See your GP

Your GP is your first point of contact. They assess whether your symptoms are work-related, provide a medical certificate for the claim, and can refer you to a psychologist for treatment. Some Comcare claims also involve a rehabilitation case manager - your employer or insurer may assign one.

Step 2: Lodge your claim (D2050 form)

The Comcare Employee Claim for Compensation form is the D2050, available at comcare.gov.au. Submit it to your employer, who lodges it with Comcare. You can also lodge directly if your employer is unresponsive. Contact Comcare on 1300 366 979 for assistance.

Step 3: Find a psychologist

Unlike SIRA, Comcare does not publish a restricted list of approved psychology providers. Any psychologist registered with AHPRA can treat a Comcare claimant. However, to ensure smooth billing and progress reporting, look for a psychologist who:

• Has worked with Comcare or Commonwealth agency clients before
• Is comfortable producing progress reports for your rehabilitation case manager
• Can invoice Comcare or your employer's self-insurer directly
• Offers telehealth if that is your preferred mode

Step 4: Treatment under a Recovery Plan

Once liability is accepted, psychology treatment is funded as part of your rehabilitation plan. Your psychologist works with your GP and case manager to set treatment goals and document progress. Sessions are typically funded for as long as they are deemed "reasonable and necessary" treatment under the SRC Act.

Telehealth Under Comcare

Comcare accepts telehealth (videoconference) psychology as a treatment modality where clinically appropriate. This is particularly useful for:

• APS employees or contractors in regional or remote NSW
• Workers whose psychological injury affects their ability to travel or attend in-person
• Workers in high-security environments (defence, intelligence) who need flexibility
• Workers who prefer the privacy and reduced travel burden of telehealth

Confirm with your Comcare case manager and your treating GP that telehealth is appropriate for your situation before starting. Document the clinical rationale in your initial treatment plan.

If Your Comcare Claim Is Disputed

If Comcare denies liability or reduces your entitlements, you have the right to seek internal reconsideration of the decision. If you disagree with the reconsidered decision, you can apply to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) - the federal administrative review body. This is different from NSW's Personal Injury Commission (PIC), which handles SIRA disputes.

Legal advice is strongly recommended before any AAT proceeding. The Law Council of Australia and the ACT Law Society (for federal matters) can help you find a workers compensation lawyer experienced in Comcare claims. You may also be entitled to legal cost coverage if you succeed at the AAT.

Is This Directory Right for Comcare Claims?

This directory (workerscomppsychologist.com.au) primarily lists psychologists with SIRA provider numbers for NSW icare claims. However, since Comcare does not require a specific provider number, many of the psychologists listed here may also accept Comcare claims.

If you have a Comcare claim, use this directory as a starting point to find a psychologist whose practice location, telehealth availability, and experience match your needs - then contact them directly to confirm they can invoice Comcare and have experience with federal scheme recovery plans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Comcare the same as SIRA for psychology claims in NSW?

No. Comcare is the federal scheme for Commonwealth employees and licensed self-insurers. SIRA/icare is the NSW state scheme for most other workers. See the comparison table above for key differences.

Do I need a 'Comcare-approved psychologist' or can I see any registered psychologist?

Unlike SIRA, Comcare does not require a specific provider number. Any AHPRA-registered psychologist can treat a Comcare claimant. However, confirm the psychologist has Comcare claim experience before booking - particularly experience invoicing the insurer and writing rehabilitation progress reports.

Can I do telehealth psychology sessions under Comcare?

Yes, where clinically appropriate. Confirm with your case manager and GP before starting. Telehealth is common for Comcare claimants, especially those in regional areas or with mobility-affecting injuries.

How do I make a psychological injury claim under Comcare?

Complete the D2050 form (available at comcare.gov.au) and submit to your employer. See your GP for a medical certificate and referral. Contact Comcare on 1300 366 979 for guidance.

I work for a private company in NSW - am I covered by Comcare?

Most private sector employees in NSW are under SIRA/icare. However, some large companies are Comcare self-insurers (Australia Post, NBN Co, Toll Group, Lendlease, others). Ask your HR team or check with Comcare if unsure.